Lenox Village Dentistry

What You Need to Know About Bone Resorption

Tooth roots are embedded in the jawbone. When a tooth is lost, the bone that housed the tooth begins to resorb, potentially causing other dental issues.

As the video describes, there are a few viable options for treating bone resorption, such as a dental implant. Embedded in the jawbone, the implant provides the same function as a natural tooth root. This keeps the bone from resorbing. However, there may be inadequate bone left to stabilize the implant unless bone grafting procedures are performed.

At Lenox Village Dentistry, our dentists use the latest technology and techniques to provide quality dental care. We offer a variety of services and procedures in the Nashville area, including restorations, implants, and tooth extractions. Call us at (615) 832-2095 for more information about our dental practice.

A Look at Your Dental Anatomy

You use your teeth every day to help you eat and speak. However, do you really know how they work? Before your next visit to your dentist, take a look at this brief guide to better understand your dental anatomy:

Structures
Enamel covers the visible portion of the tooth and serves as a shield, protecting the portions beneath. Dentin makes up the bulk of the tooth. It is similar to bone in composition. Cementum is the material covering the bottom portion of the tooth. Pulp is the collection of blood vessels and nerves at the center.

Supporting Tissues
There are several parts to the supporting tissue of each tooth. Gingiva, or the gums, is the soft tissue covering the root of each tooth. The periodontal membrane connects the tooth and alveolar bone, essentially holding the tooth in its socket. The cementum connects the periodontal membrane to the hard structure of the tooth, providing support.

Names
Many adults have 32 teeth, including their wisdom teeth. Starting from the center of the mouth, the teeth are the central incisor, lateral incisor, canine or sharp cusp, first and second premolars, and first, second, and third molars. The upper jaw is called maxillary, and the bottom jaw is called mandibular. The front six teeth of both the upper and lower jaw are anterior, and the teeth behind those are posterior.

Alignment and Orientation
Teeth do not sit perfectly on top of one another. Though they vary somewhat with each person, generally anterior teeth are at angles facing forward, posterior maxillary are angled outward, and posterior mandibular are angled inward. Each tooth serves a specific function in the biting and chewing of food.

Now that you understand your dental anatomy, call Lenox Village Dentistry at (615) 832-2095 to schedule a routine dental exam. We offer a variety of services and procedures, including cleanings, restorations, implants, and tooth extractions. Our dentists use the latest technology and techniques to provide quality dental care in Nashville.

Five Dental Resources

Do you want to find out more about how to take an active role in your dental health? Check out the following links from around the Web to learn more. Lenox Village Dentistry of Nashville specializes in cosmetic and preventative dentistry for the whole family. Find out more about us by calling (615) 832-2095 today!

1. Dentures can actually inhibit your sense of taste. Learn about your sense of taste on this informative page.
2. Find out how dentists are working to combat bone loss in this article in the Harvard University Gazette.
3. Find out about periodontal disease on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
4. Learn about receiving dentures on the website of the American Dental Association.
5. Find out how to care for your dentures in this article on WebMD.com.

How Dental Implants Can Improve Your Denture Experience

Dental implants are permanent tooth replacements that are anchored into the bone of your jaw. Your dentist may recommend pairing dental implants with your dentures, which can help ensure a healthy jaw and mouth for years to come.

Mitigate Bone Loss
The permanent loss of teeth can result in degradation of the bone in your jaw. Removable dentures do not prevent this loss, as the impact of chewing motions is absorbed by the dentures. Dental implants, however, transfer this force down into the bone of your jaw, which responds by increasing its density rather than losing it.

Provide Anchor Points
Dental implants and dentures do not need to be separate treatment options. Your dentist can design your dentures to anchor over your implants for added stability. This will eliminate slipping of your dentures when you eat, talk, or exercise, giving you the comfort and confidence you need to enjoy the activities you love without worrying about the effect on your dentures.

Save You Money
If you require replacement of a large number of your teeth, dental implants and the crowns that cover them can be costly. Choosing a combination of implants and dentures can save you money, because dentures are anchored to the implants and no crowns are needed, giving you a full, healthy smile at a reduced cost.

Improve Your Sense of Taste
Covering the roof of your mouth with a removable denture can actually cause some loss in your sense of taste. This can negatively impact your life and your enjoyment of the foods you eat. By utilizing dentures fixed to dental implants, your dentist can leave the top of your mouth uncovered, allowing you to maintain your sense of taste.

Learn more about your denture and dental implant options from Lenox Village Dentistry of Nashville. Visit us on the Web or call today at (615) 832-2095 to learn more about our dental practice. 

Why Do Dentists Take X-Rays?

Have you ever wondered why part of your routine dental exam includes x-rays of your mouth? To find out how your dentist uses x-rays to keep an eye on your oral health, check out the following video.

This video explains how x-rays are used to supplement your dentist’s oral examination of your teeth to catch problems or conditions that are not visible. X-rays can show your dentist cavities between teeth or beneath fillings, as well as help your dentist to detect gum disease, cysts, bone infections, or tumors. To find out more about how dental x-rays help keep your mouth healthy, watch this video.

Lenox Village Dentistry of Nashville is dedicated to the highest quality of preventative oral health care. Visit us online or call us today at (615) 832-2095.